DRINKING ON THE JOB: IT'S ONLY NATURAL!
It's Only Natural
Drinking is so natural that it's the first thing we do after breathing. Not only is water one of our most essential nutrients, it helps regulate body temperature in hot environments. Yet, lots of health and safety types tell us that most people don't drink enough during moderate to strenuous activity.
Sure, if you can stay in an air conditioned office, that's best on a hot day, but even folks who work where the sun never shines risk heat exposure. Mines, factories, big warehouses, tunnels, dusty old trucks are all challenges to drinking that one liter per hour that heavy or hot work requires. Roofing, road construction, foundry workers, and others in extreme environments may require even more.
Drink Early, Drink Often
Most experts say that the best way to stay hydrated is to get a jump-start on the situation by drinking before starting hot or heavy work. Once you get going, don't wait until you feel thirsty before taking a swig. Smaller drinks every 15 to 20 minutes keep your body more stable than wild swings in fluid levels.
How do you know if you are drinking enough? Headaches, fatigue, dizziness, or muscle cramps are signs that you are way too dehydrated and heading towards a medical situation. Dry skin, when you should be sweating, probably means that the reservoir is dry. And here is a simple test: if you aren't peeing, you probably aren't drinking enough. Darker colored urine, or smaller amounts than normal, are signs of a water shortage.
Nature's Finest
Most sources state that pure, clean water is the best thing to drink on the job. While an endurance runner or tri-athlete may need special electrolytes added to their fluids, most workers will get what they need from the food that they eat. One possible advantage of juices or sports drinks is that the sweet or tasty flavor may encourage some workers to drink more. However, heavily sweetened drinks, caffeinated beverages, or alcohol can all interfere with the absorption or retention of water. Sorry, these will have to wait until after work.
Most people find that cool water is the easiest to drink and most refreshing. Warm water can be plain un-appealing, and 'freeze-your-brain-cold' water can, well, lead to stomach cramps even if your head doesn't actually ice over.
Look Ma - No Hands!
One of the easiest ways to stay hydrated is to carry your own water supply with you. Unless you work next to the water cooler and have an endless supply of paper cups, this is probably going to mean a canteen, water bottle, or hydration pack. If you work in a vehicle, put those cup holders to use. If you are always moving around, climbing, carrying stuff, or holding tools, a hydration pack is pretty handy thing to keep your hands free, and to serve as a reminder to take frequent sips on 'micro-breaks'.
For Additional Information: